Team spokesman Bart Swain said Lara’s injuries were considered “life-threatening,” but could not release specific details of those injuries. Lino Diaz, Cleveland’s director of Latin American operations, was to travel to the Dominican Republic today.

Swain said Lara was driving home from a winter league game in San Pedro de Macoris and was stopped at an intersection when his car was hit broadside by a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver of the motorcycle and his passenger were both killed instantly.

The 26-year-old left-hander pitched in one game for the Indians in 2007, allowing two runs in 1 1/3 innings.

He spent most of the season at Triple-A Buffalo, where he was 4-3 with a 3.88 ERA and two saves in 52 appearances. Lara struck out 50 in 58 innings.

Lara had demonstrated some promise in 2006, when he was called up in September and pitched in nine games for the Indians (0-0, 1.80 ERA) after beginning the season at Double-A Akron. Left-handers were 1-for-11 against him in those nine appearances.

He came to spring training with a chance to make the big-league roster, but the Indians were fortunate to have two capable left-handers, Aaron Fultz and Rafael Perez, in their bullpen this season.

The Indians signed Lara as a free agent in May of 1999. He pitched three seasons in the Dominican Summer League before joining rookie-league Single-A Burlington (N.C.) in 2002.